LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The East Stroudsburg Warriors and IUP Crimson Hawks have been voted as the top teams in the Eastern and Western divisions, respectively, in the 2026-27 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Preseason Polls.
The polls are voted on by the conference's head coaches.
In the East, East Stroudsburg and second-place Kutztown each received three first-place votes, while third-place Millersville collected the other two. IUP, coming off the program's first appearance in the NCAA Division II national championship game, led the Western Division poll with seven first-place votes, while second-place Gannon received two.
Find the complete polls as well as team-by-team capsules below.
Eastern Division (# of first-place votes in parentheses)
- East Stroudsburg (3)
- Kutztown (3)
- Millersville (2)
- Bloomsburg
- West Chester
- Shepherd
- Shippensburg
- Mansfield
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Western Division (# of first-place votes in parentheses)
- IUP (7)
- Gannon (2)
- Edinboro
- California
- Lock Haven
- Clarion
- Pitt-Johnstown
- Slippery Rock
- Seton Hill
PSAC WESTERN DIVISION
#1 IUP (31-4 overall, 17-3 PSAC in 2025-26)
- IUP is coming off the most successful postseason run in program history. The Crimson Hawks captured the PSAC Tournament and NCAA Division II Atlantic Region championships before advancing to the national championship game for the first time.
- IUP returns three starters. Teresa Maggio started all 35 games and averaged 15.3 ppg while shooting better than 40% from 3-point range. Marin Miller also started all 35 games and hit the game-winning 3-pointer in the Atlantic Region championship game to send IUP to the Elite Eight. Belle Bosch started 33 games and shot 50% from the field.
- The Crimson Hawks open the season at home against Division III Pitt-Greensburg on Nov. 9 before hosting Point Park and Davis & Elkins the following weekend. IUP begins PSAC play Dec. 4 against Shippensburg.
#2 Gannon (29-5 overall, 18-2 PSAC in 2025-26)
- Gannon is in search of a seventh straight 20-win season (not counting the abbreviated 2020-21 season) and a seventh straight NCAA Tournament trip after reaching the PSAC Championship game and the semifinals of the Atlantic Regional last season.
- The Golden Knights must replace first team All-PSAC West honoree Bri Claxon, the program's fifth all-time leading scorer (1,841 points). But two All-PSAC West selections return, including Kate Ratliff, a 6-foot senior guard and two-time Second Team honoree, averaged 12.1 ppg and 5.3 rpg and led the team in assists (100), steals (72), and blocks (42). She enters the season with 1,106 career points. Mia Slater, a 6-foot-2 senior from Australia and another Second Team honoree, added 8.3 ppg and 5.2 rpg while shooting 53.2% from the floor.
- Cleve Wright begins his 19th season at the helm with a 416-134 record at Gannon and a 451-221 mark in 22 years as a head coach. Since returning in 2019-20, he has led Gannon to six straight NCAA Tournament appearances and three PSAC championships.
- Gannon's 2026-27 schedule may be among the toughest in Division II, featuring 10 games against NCAA Tournament teams and 12 against 20-win teams. The Golden Knights host the Atlantic Region Challenge and play in the D2 CCA Tip-Off Classic and the D2 Jackpot Classic in Las Vegas, where they face Elite Eight team Colorado Mesa and Vanguard.
#3 Edinboro (19-14 overall, 14-6 PSAC in 2025-26)
- Edinboro earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament and reached the Atlantic Regional for the second straight season. The Fighting Scots beat California 85-64 in the first round of the PSAC Tournament before falling to Gannon in the NCAA opening round.
- Junior forward Rachael Manfredo, a first team All-PSAC West selection and the 2025 PSAC West Freshman of the Year, leads the returners. She averaged 16.9 ppg and 5.6 rpg while shooting 53.8% from the field, the 28th-best mark in the nation, and led the team with 39 blocked shots.
- Edinboro must replace second team All-PSAC West forward Ava Haddad (12.7 ppg) and guard Taylor Blunt (11.2 ppg), but returns guards Hope Garrity and sophomore Taylor Phillips. Kassie Potts, the 2026 PSAC Women's Basketball Champion Scholar, is also back.
- Edinboro opens PSAC play at home against East Stroudsburg on Dec. 4 at 3 p.m.
Key Returnees –
- Rachael Manfredo, Forward, Junior (White Oak, Pa./McKeesport) – 16.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 39 BLK
#4 California (13-18 overall, 9-11 PSAC in 2025-26)
- California's 13-18 finish snapped a streak of 26 consecutive winning seasons, but the Vulcans placed fifth in the PSAC West and qualified for the league tournament for the 25th straight year, a streak dating back to 2001.
- Head coach Jess Strom enters her 16th season holding the school record with 310 career victories, the fourth-most among active PSAC women's basketball coaches. She has led the program to 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, including nine straight from 2015-24.
- The Vulcans return three starters, led by All-PSAC West Second Team selection Kennedy Bankett. In her first season with the program, Bankett led the team and ranked among the league leaders at 15.7 ppg while shooting over 55% from the floor.
#5 Lock Haven (22-6 overall, 18-3 PSAC in 2025-26)
- Lock Haven moves to the PSAC West this season after winning its third straight PSAC East title with a 22-6 overall record and an 18-3 conference mark last year.
- First-year head coach Zack Smith takes over a program that has reached the conference tournament in each of the last seven seasons.
- Senior forward Madeline Evans, the PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year and a WBCA Honorable Mention All-American, returns after averaging a double-double. Senior guard Rhlyn Rouse, a second team All-PSAC East pick, is also back.
- The Bald Eagles open the 2026-27 season Nov. 10 when they host PSAC Eastern Division rival Kutztown at 5:30 p.m. at Thomas Fieldhouse. The PSAC slate begins Friday, Dec. 4 when Mansfield comes to town.
Key Returnees –
- Madeline Evans, Forward, Senior (Bloomsburg, Pa./Bloomsburg) – 13.9 PPG, 12.3 RPG
- Rhlyn Rouse, Guard, Senior (York, Pa./York Tech) – 11.6 PPG, 8.1 RPG
#6 Clarion (12-15 overall, 7-13 PSAC in 2025-26)
- The Golden Eagles are coming off their second straight PSAC Tournament appearance, their first back-to-back trips since 2008-09.
- Clarion returns two starters in Alyssa Terza (7.7 ppg, 7.6 rpg) and Niah Smedley (7.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg), who each started 17 or more games last season.
- Newcomers include Christiana Gordon, a mid-year transfer last season who sat out the spring. Gordon was a first team all-state selection at Westmont Hilltop who originally committed to Vermont.
- Clarion opens the season at D'Youville before hosting Lake Erie and Malone in a home tipoff tournament against the G-MAC the following weekend.
#7 Pitt-Johnstown (10-17 overall, 7-13 PSAC in 2025-26)
- D'wan Shackleford-Vickroy begins a third season as head coach of the Mountain Cats, who narrowly missed the PSAC Tournament last year with a 7-13 conference mark. UPJ won four of its last eight PSAC games, including wins over Edinboro, California and Clarion.
- Pitt-Johnstown must replace four seniors who combined for 40.7 ppg, led by forward Liv West (13.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg) and guard Riley Childress (10.6 ppg, 3.6 apg, 50% from 3-point range).
- Sophomore forward Angel Ezirim returns after starting 20 games and averaging 7.7 ppg and 4.2 rpg. Junior forward Sophia Ott (7.0 ppg, 50% FG) and senior forward Camille Dominick (5.0 ppg, team-high 10 blocks) also return, as does sophomore guard Alyssa Altemus, who made 15 starts and shot 42.3% from 3-point range.
- The Mountain Cats held opponents to 28.6% shooting from 3-point range last season. Newcomers include Barcelona, Spain native Telma Comba Antonio and a four-player freshman class. UPJ opens PSAC play at home against Bloomsburg on Dec. 4.
Key Returnees –
- Angel Ezirim, Forward, Sophomore (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Jerome) – 7.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG
- Sophia Ott, Forward, Junior (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) – 7.0 PPG, 2.5 RPG
#8 Slippery Rock (7-19 overall, 5-15 PSAC in 2025-26)
- Head coach Ryenn Micaletti returns for her fourth season with sights set on leading SRU to its first PSAC Tournament berth since 2017-18.
- Slippery Rock brings back eight players, including 2026 PSAC West Freshman of the Year Iyanna Wade (14.0 ppg, 4.2 apg, 3.4 rpg), versatile forward Alyssa Gillin (11.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg) and shooting guard Sophia Hook (10.2 ppg, .345 3PT%).
- Regan Atkins is back to full health after missing last season due to injury. A former PSAC West Freshman of the Year, Atkins averaged 13.5 ppg and 5.7 rpg in her first two seasons.
- Other key newcomers include JUCO transfers Adela Cecunjanin and Sheridan Oberhand from Monroe University and Westminster transfer Katie Grexa.
#9 Seton Hill (22-9 overall, 15-5 PSAC in 2025-26)
- Nick Volchok begins his first season as head coach of the Griffins after serving as an assistant coach at Marist.
- Seton Hill does not return its top three scorers from last season, but its fourth- and fifth-leading scorers are back in Hailee Ford and Shaye Bailey.
- The roster features four transfers.
- The Griffins open the season Nov. 13-14 in the PSAC/MEC Challenge at Fairmont State against Fairmont State and Concord. PSAC play begins at home against Shepherd on Dec. 4.
Key Returnees –
- Hailee Ford, Forward, Senior (Perry Hall, Md./Concordia Prep/UAlbany) – 13.1 PPG, 6.8 RPG
- Shaye Bailey, Guard, Junior (Freedom, Pa./Freedom) – 8.5 PPG, 64 steals
PSAC EASTERN DIVISION
#1 East Stroudsburg (17-12 overall, 12-9 PSAC in 2025-26)
- East Stroudsburg finished 17-12 overall and 12-9 in PSAC play last season. The Warriors' season ended in the first round of the PSAC Tournament with a 64-61 loss to Millersville.
- ESU ranked sixth in the conference in scoring margin (+2.9) and seventh in scoring defense (62.7 ppg).
- First team All-PSAC East guard Brie Droege led the Warriors in scoring, ranking third in the Eastern Division and seventh overall in the PSAC at 15.8 ppg. Brooke Droege, a second team All-PSAC East pick, is also back.
- East Stroudsburg opens the 2026-27 season on Monday, Nov. 9 at Fairleigh Dickinson at 7 p.m. The PSAC schedule begins Friday, Dec. 4 at Edinboro at 3 p.m.
Key Returnees –
- Brie Droege, Guard, Junior (Columbia, Pa./Columbia) – 15.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG
- Brooke Droege, Guard, Junior (Columbia, Pa./Columbia) – 11.5 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 2.0 SPG
- Lacie Kringe, Guard, Senior (Drums, Pa./Hazleton Area) – 10.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.9 SPG
#2 Kutztown (19-10 overall, 15-6 PSAC in 2025-26)
- Kutztown ended the 2025-26 season at 19-10 overall and 15-6 in the PSAC, falling to Seton Hill in the PSAC Quarterfinals.
- The Golden Bears return 11 players who saw action last season.
- KU ranked second in the PSAC in scoring defense, allowing just 56.4 ppg.
- With Keystone Arena under renovation, the Golden Bears will play their home games at Penn State Berks. Kutztown opens its season at Lock Haven, with PSAC play beginning Dec. 4 at Gannon.
Key Returnees –
- Madison Siggins, Forward, Junior (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) – 9.4 PPG
- Ariana Smuda, Center, Senior (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East) – 7.3 PPG
- Bella Quinn, Guard, Junior (Ashland, Ky./Russell) – 5.5 PPG
- Taylor Gurysh, Guard, Senior (Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy) – 3.5 PPG
#3 Millersville (13-16 overall, 8-13 PSAC in 2025-26)
- Jennifer Smith returns to her alma mater as head coach after leading Lock Haven to three consecutive PSAC Eastern Division titles. She left Lock Haven as the program's all-time wins leader after 18 seasons.
- Millersville has reached the postseason in four consecutive seasons. Last year, the Marauders opened the PSAC Tournament with a 64-61 win over East Stroudsburg before falling to IUP in the quarterfinals.
- Sophomore guard Daniella Ranieli, the PSAC East Freshman of the Year and a second team All-PSAC East selection, led the Marauders in scoring at 13.1 ppg while adding 2.5 apg and 1.8 spg. She ranked third in the PSAC in 3-point percentage (36.9%) and scored a career-high 35 points with a 7-of-7 performance from 3-point range.
- Carley Berk (37.9% 3PT) and Bryn Zentner also return, and Smith adds Clarion transfer Arianna Seitz, who started all 27 games last season and averaged 14.6 ppg and 6.0 rpg, along with Penn State York transfer Skylar Curley (12.4 ppg, 11.0 rpg).
Key Returnees –
- Daniella Ranieli, Guard, Sophomore (Duryea, Pa./Pittston Area) – 13.1 PPG, 2.5 APG, 1.8 SPG
#4 Bloomsburg (16-14 overall, 11-10 PSAC in 2025-26)
- Bloomsburg is coming off a 16-14 season with an 11-10 record in PSAC action. The Huskies beat Shepherd, 70-53, in the opening round of the PSAC Tournament before falling at top-seeded Gannon, 66-56, in the quarterfinals.
- The Huskies finished among the top five defenses in the conference, holding opponents to 59.8 ppg (fifth) and 26.7% shooting from 3-point range (third).
- Bloomsburg opens the season Monday, Nov. 9 against Penn State Hazleton and begins its PSAC schedule Friday, Dec. 4 at Pitt-Johnstown.
Key Returnees –
- Alison Hatajik – 10.4 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 50.4 FG%, Second Team All-PSAC East in 2025-26
- Maddison Maynard – 9.8 PPG, 6.1 RPG
- Kelly Leszcynski – 9.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 3.8 APG
#5 West Chester (11-16 overall, 7-14 PSAC in 2025-26)
- West Chester went 6-3 overall and 2-1 in league play in the 2025 portion of last season before going 5-13 in 2026.
- The Golden Rams return four members of their starting five from the end of last season and 80.5% (1,346 of 1,672) of their points from a year ago.
- West Chester ranked third in the PSAC East in scoring defense (62.4 ppg), holding opponents to 26.2% shooting from beyond the arc while forcing 10.2 steals per game, second-best in the division.
- West Chester opens the season Nov. 13 at home against Salem at 2 p.m. as West Chester and Millersville co-host the season-opening tournament. East play begins Jan. 6 at home against Bloomsburg.
Key Returnees –
- Lena Stein, Forward, Sophomore – 10.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.5 APG
- Macie McCracken, Guard, Sophomore – 8.1 PPG, 3.4 RPG
- Bella Mazur, Guard, Junior – 5.8 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 1.9 APG, 25 steals
#6 Shepherd (11-16 overall, 9-12 PSAC in 2025-26)
- Shepherd is coming off an 11-16 overall mark with a 9-12 record in PSAC play, winning eight of its last 12 games. Head coach Julie Kaufman was named PSAC East Coach of the Year.
- The Rams ranked second in the PSAC in turnover margin (+3.77) and third in steals per game (10.9) last season.
- Shepherd opens the 2026-27 season on Friday, Nov. 13 at Bowie State at 6 p.m. in the first round of the Bowie State Tipoff Classic.
- The PSAC schedule begins Friday, Dec. 4 at Seton Hill.
Key Returnees –
- Kara Wehner, Guard, Senior (Staten Island, N.Y./Xaverian) – 15.0 PPG, 3.9 RPG, First Team All-PSAC East in 2025-26
- Jenna Liska, Forward, Senior (Eldersburg, Md./Liberty/Frostburg State) – 6.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG
- Trinity Turner, Guard, Junior (Germantown, Md./Clarksburg) – 5.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG
- Cassidy Rhodes, Guard, Senior (Point of Rocks, Md./Brunswick) – 5.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 36 3PT FG
#7 Shippensburg (3-25 overall, 2-19 PSAC in 2025-26)
- Shippensburg is coming off a 3-25 campaign in 2025-26, including a 2-19 record in PSAC East play.
- The Raiders return nine players, including three who were with the team but unable to play last season (Bella Chimienti, Rylee Kraft and Ava Byrne).
- Shippensburg welcomes a six-person recruiting class, with several newcomers expected to make an immediate impact.
- The Raiders open the 2026-27 season by hosting Fayetteville State and Shaw in the PSAC vs. CIAA Conference Challenge Nov. 13-14. SU's PSAC East slate begins against West Chester on Saturday, Jan. 9 at 1 p.m.
Key Returnees –
- Michelle Olak, Forward, Junior (Montreal, Canada/Westtown School) – 11.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG
- Melana Eyer, Guard, Sophomore (Altoona, Pa./Altoona Area) – 11.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.8 APG
- Bella Chimienti, Guard, Redshirt Junior (York, Pa./Central York) – 8.6 PPG, 4.1 RPG (in 2024-25)
- Lauren Marton, Forward, Sophomore (Trafford, Pa./Penn-Trafford) – 5.6 PPG, 3.0 RPG
#8 Mansfield (4-24 overall, 2-19 PSAC in 2025-26)
- Mansfield returns four of five starters and three key reserves, led by first team All-PSAC East guard Katie Sheeler, who ranked second in the PSAC in scoring (17.9 ppg) and fifth in 3-point percentage.
- The Mounties add six newcomers, including Shippensburg transfer Zaria Spann.
- Mansfield opens the 2026-27 season on Monday, Nov. 9 when it hosts St. Thomas Aquinas at 5:30 p.m.
- The PSAC schedule begins Friday, Dec. 4 when the Mounties travel to Lock Haven for a crossover contest.
Key Returnees –
- Katie Sheeler, Guard, Senior (Rixford, Pa./Otto-Eldred) – 17.9 PPG, 87 assists, 71 steals
- Delilah Nazih, Forward (Coal Township, Pa./Shamokin) – 9.0 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 32 steals